Scout

Scout develops a portable molecular (nucleic acid amplification) testing platform intended to deliver results at the point of care in under 30 minutes. The company states its patented molecular technology showed 99% overall agreement with high-complexity PCR, based on clinical trial data that the company notes have not been reviewed by the FDA, and positions the product as still under development.

The system is described as ultra-portable and shelf stable, requiring no installation or specialized training, so it can be deployed in clinics, community settings and homes. Example targets referenced on the company's site include sexually transmitted infection testing, with a result screen showing gonorrhea detection. Scout frames its platform against two alternatives: lateral flow antigen tests, which return results in about 15 minutes but with 50-70% sensitivity, and central laboratory PCR, which offers the highest sensitivity but takes 24-72 hours or more.

Business model

Scout sells or plans to place its molecular testing platform with care providers such as clinics, which run near-patient tests during a visit; the company notes that billing may be available using applicable CPT codes depending on payer policies. Development has also been supported by public and non-profit grant funding.

Sales of point-of-care molecular testing to clinics and other care settings, where testing may be reimbursable under applicable CPT codes depending on payer policies; non-dilutive grant funding from NIH, CARB-X and Flu Lab has supported development.

Traction

Scout reports clinical trial data showing 99% overall agreement with high-complexity PCR, and cites deployment by occupational health provider Medcor to support Hollywood productions in remote environments during the pandemic. The product remains under development and is offered through a waitlist. The company has received funding from the NIH, CARB-X and Flu Lab, and support from institutions including Johns Hopkins University and Emory University.